Metallic railway crossing



May 20, 1930. J. 'A. DAILEY ET AL METALLIC RAILWAY CROSSING a lo .Ju lo o u.

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r oFFici-z si: i f* JOHN A. BAILEY, OF BURLINGTON, AND LJnWIS W. GRTH, OF WAPELLO, IOWA METALLio RMLWAY cnossING Application filed `February 9, 1929., Serial. No. 338,648.

rlfhe present invention relates to metallic railway crossings.

More particularly the presentA invention relates to roadways crossing railway tracks.

VAn object of the'present invention is to provide an improved railway crossing which may be fabricated at the factory and conveniently assembled on the job.

A further object is to provide a railwaycrossing which` is sturdy and which though constructed for the most part of metal, which is a conductor of electricity, will nevertheless insulate the railway rails from one another.

A further object is to provide a railway crossing havin an anti-slid in surface which crossing will, however, havel a minimum of destructive eect upon automobile tires and" the like.

A further object is to provide a railway crossing adapted for roadways provided with paving block which will require a minimum of fitting of said paving block around said railway crossing.

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds. Y

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a cross sectional view taken transversely of the rails of a track illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along the plane indicated by the arrows 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure l shows adetail of construct-ion showing part of the railway crossing at an intermediate stage in its manufacture;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken parallel with the railroad rails showing an arrangement of crossing plates having locking relationship with one another;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of two locking plates such as shown in Figure 5, but with said locking plates separated;

Figure .7 is a side view of the plates shown in Figure 6; and f Figure 8 is a sectional view taken transversely of the rails and showing a modified construction.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the numerals 10-10 indicate railroad rails, which rails may be supported upon ties, one of which isv illustrated in F igurel and indicated by the numeral 11. The means for holding down the railslO-l() to the ties are not illustrated. Any preferred means may be used.

The particular construction shown in Figures 1 and 2- involves three sets of crossing plates between the rails 10-10. Arranged adjacent to each rail 10 are crossing plates 12 and 13, which may be counterparts of each other. Arranged in the region spaced midway between the rails 10-10 is the intermediate crossing plate 14. Each of the crossing plates l2 and 13 has the grooved edge portion 15 adapted to underlie the adjacent head of a rail 10. Each of the crossing plates 12 and 13 has riveted thereto a plurality of supports, which are illustrated in the form of channels adapted to-rest upon the ties 11-,1l. Four of such channels are indicated as connected to each of the crossing plates 12 and 13, said four channels in each instance being represented by the numerals 16, 17, 18 and 19. The' channels 16, 17 and 18 are riveted directly to theirV corresponding crossing plates 12 or 13, as the case may be, and the channel 19 issecured, by means of the bolts 20, to the channel 18. The channels 18 and 19 are placed back to back, but are insulated from each other by the layer of insulating material indicated bythe numeral 21. The -bolts 20-20 are insulated from their corresponding channels 18 and 19 by insulating material, which need not be referred to in'detail. The channels 19-19 of the crossing plates 12 and 13 provide flanges facing each other and presented toward the longitudinal vertical central plane between the tracks10-10- The inwardly turned flanges referred to provide support-s for the locking plate 14, which is additionally supported by means ofthe channel 22. The top flange of said channel 22 is riveted to said crossing plate 14.. The crossing plate 14 is locked to the channels 19-19 by means of the locking plates 23?-23, which are secured in locking relationship with the ianges of the channels 19-19 by means ofthe holding members 24 and 25.

The locking plates 23 and their holding members 24 and 25 need not be described in detail, inasmuch as means suitable for the purpose are fully disclosed in the United States patent to Dailey and Gerth No. 1,623,911, granted April 5, 1927. The layers of: insulating material 21-21 interrupt the electrical circuit in case there is a dillerence of potential between the rails 10-10, which diti'erence ot potential is frequently provided for signal or other purposes. T he crossing plates 12 and 13 may be conveniently secured in place by disposing the edge portions 15-15 beneath the heads ot the rails 10-10 and by driving spikes 26'26 or the like into the ties 11-11, the heads ot said spikes being disposedin overlying relationship with the bottom flanges of the channels 121-19. The crossing plates 12 and 13 with their supporting channels and their corresponding layers 21-21 ot insulating material are thus held securely in place. rllhe intermediate crossing plate 1-/1 is secured to the channels 19-19 by means of the locking plates 23-23, as above described.

Disposed outwardly of the two rails 10-10 are the approach plates 27-27, which may be counterparts of one another. Said approach plates 27--27 have edge portions 28-28 adapted to underlie the outer portions ol' the heads of the rails 10-10. Riv eted or otherwise secured to the approach plates 27-27 are the channels 2929. rEhe channels 29-29 disposed adjacent to the rails 10-10 may have their ianges turned either inwardly or outwardly of the rails 10-10, as preferred. The flanges ot those channels 29-29 disposed adjacent to the outer edges of the crossing plates 27-27 should, however, have their flanges turned outwardly from said rails 10-10. rThe upper flanges of the outer channels 29-29 provide supports for the outer edges of said crossing plates 27-27- The lower flanges of said outer channels 29-29 provide abutment means for hooked member 30-30, which will now be described.

Said members 30-30 take the term ot rods having the hooked over ends 31-31 adapted to engage over the lower flanges ot the outer channels 29-29. Located adjacent to the other extremities ot the members 30-30 are the clamping members 32-32, each of which is apertured, as indicated by the numeral 33.` for the reception of the corresponding red 30. Each ot said clamping members 32 is provided with the hook portion 3st adapted to engage an inner flange ot a rail 10. Each of the members 30 is screw-threaded at its end opposite the hooked portion 31 for the reception of a nut 35, which nut may be locked in place by means of a lock washer 36, or other preferred means.

The number of sets of crossing plates making up a crossing longitudinally oli the rails 1010 will of course depend upon the Width of the road to be accommodated. Preferably, each crossing plate 12 will have overlapping relationship with its next adjacent crossing plate 12 longitudinally of said rails 10. rThe same remarks apply to the crossing plates 13 and 1a and to the approach plates 27-27. Figures 3 and ll illustrate one construction providing the overlapping relationship relerred to. Referring lirst to Figure 4, a channel 17 is illustrated supporting the crossing plate 12. An extremity of the web portion of said channel 17 is provided with the notch 37. By reason of said notch, the upper iange of the channel 17 and the material of the web adjacent to said flange, as well as the adjacent portion of the crossing plate 12, may he swedged downwardly, as indicated in Figure 3, the swedged down portion of the crossing plate 12 being indicated by the numeral 38 in Figure 3. The crossing plate 12 of the next adjacent channel 17 overhangs the extremity of said last mentioned channel 17 a small amount, as indicated by the numeral 39. The construction illustrated in Figure 3, therefore, provides an overlapped relationship between plates 12-12 arranged longitudinally of the tracks, which avoids sharp abutments.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a modified arrangement providing for the overlapping relationship between the crossing or approach plates disposed longitudinally of the rails. The particular crossing plates illustratedare indicated by the numerals 12-12. It will be understood, however, that the crossing plates 13 and 14 and the approach plates 27--27 are subject to the same arrangement. From an inspection of Figures 6 and 7 it will be noted that adjacent plates 12-12 are interlocked by means of a tongue and slot arrangement. Adjacent to the extremities of the plates 12 are the slots 11G- 4:0 adapted to receive the down struck tongues l1- 41 ot the next adj acent plate. According to the construction shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, there will be a difference in level between adjacent crossing plates disposed longitudinally of the rails, providing a slight shoulder, indicated by the numeral Ll2, said shoulder having a height equal to the thickness of the correspending plate 12. In order to avoid the necessity -tor different sizes et the supporting channels, shims 13 may he provided between the plates 12 at the upper level and the corresponding supporting channel. According to the construction illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, adjacent supporting` channels have their extremities substantially abutting. Their corresponding crossing plates 12-12 may overhang the adjacent extremities ot said supporting channels a slight amount.

According to the modified construction shown in Figure 8, the approach plates 27 -27 take the same form as those illustrated in F igure l. However, Figure 8 discloses a modified form of crossing plate construction. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, a plate 44 of metal is provided, of suflicient width to span the distance between the rails l0-10. It will be understood, however, that if it is desired to use narrower crossing plates, a plurality of such narrower crossing plates may be used. The novel features, which will be described presently, are applicable to the construction whether a single plate 44 is used to span the rails 10-10 or a plurality of plates are used for this purpose. The plate 44 is carried by supports 45-45, which are illustrated as channels and which are secured to the plate 44 by rivets or other preferred securing means. The side extremities of the plate 44 are shown as being supported by channelsl 46-46, which channels have their flanges directed away from the adjacent rails ILO-l0. Said channels 46-46 Y may be secured to the ties 11--11 by means of spikes 47-47, which preferably are disposed within holes in the lower flanges of said channels 46-46. The side edge portions of the plate 44 are grooved, as indicated by the numerals 48-48, to provide gutters providing the necessary clearance for the flanges of the wheels of the railway rolling stock to be carried by the rails lO-lO. Disposed along the edges of said plate 44 are the angles 49--49, which are secured inplace by rivets or other preferred securing means. Disposed in position between the under side of the head and the upper' side of the flangeon the inside of each rail l0 is a strip of material 50, which material should vbe an electrical insulator'. The angles 49-49 secured to the side edges of the plate 44 bear against said strips E30-50, holding said strips securely in position. The plate 44 with its supports 45-45 is held down by `means of locking plates 23-23, similar to those discussed in connection with Figure l. It will Abe understood, ofcourse, that as many crossing plates 44 are used placed end to end as are necessary in making up the length of crossing required for the roadway being accommodated. It will be understood further that the connections between said plates 44 may be according to the disclosure of Figures 3 and 4, or according to the disclosure of Figures5', 6 and 7, or according to any other preferred arrangement.

In order to provide an anti-slipping surface, the crossing plates 12-12 of Figures l and 2, or the crossing plates 44-44 of Figure 8 and the approach plates 27-27 disclosed in said figures, may be provided with struck up knobs, indicated by the numerals 5l-5l.

- Said knobs may be readily swedged when the plates are being fabricated and constitute a cheap and effective means for providing a non-skid surface.

It will be understood, of course, that though a single railroad track of two rails has been illustrated, the invention is equally applicable to railroad crossings comprising any number of tracks. j

Though certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is l. In combination, the rails of a railroad track, crossing plates between said rails and adjacent to said rails, said crossing plates having edges adapted to underlie the heads of said rails, angled members secured to said plates, insulating material secured between certain of said angled members and forming boundaries for said plates, and an intermediate plate between said first mentioned plates locked to certain of said angled members.

2. In combination Ywith the rails'and ties of a railroad track, a pair of plates having grooved side edges adapted to underlie the heads of said rails, supporting members secured to said plates, certain of said supporting members being disposed adjacent to each other and secured directly together, insulating material between said adjacent supporting members, said insulating material forming boundaries for said plates, and an intermediate plate disposed between said first mentioned plates and secured to certain Vof said adj acentmembers.

3. In combination with the rails and ties of a railroad track, a pair of crossing plates having side edge portions in underlying re- Y lationship with the heads of said rails, supports for said crossing plates carried by said ties, certain of -said supports being disposed adjacent to the inner edges of said plates,in sulating material adjacent to said last mentioned supports and to said inner edges of said crossing plates, channel members secured to said last mentioned supports but i11- sulated from said last mentioned supports and from said crossing plates by said insulating material, holding means cooperating with the flanges of said channel members for holding said crossing plates in fixed relationship with said rails and said ties, and an interme- 1 diate crossing plate removably secured to said channels. 4. In combination, a rail of a railroad ICU lli)

track, ties for supporting said rail, an appreach plate disposed laterally of said rail. support secured to said approach plate and having a flange at its lower extremity, said support being supported-by said ties, and clamping means having portions hooking over a flange of said rail and said flange of said support for securing said approach plate to said rail. j

f 5. In combination, a rail of a railroad track, ties for supportingsaid rail, an approach plate disposed laterally of said rail,

a support secured to said approach plate and having a flange at its lower extremity, said support being supported by said ties, and clamping means having portions hooking over a {iange or' said rail and said flange ot' said support for securing said approach plate to said rail, said support plate having an edge engaging under the head of said rail.

6. In combination, a rail of a railroad track, ties for supporting said rail, an approach plate, a pair of supports for said approach plate supported by said ties, said approach plate having an edge portion underlying the head of said rail, one of said supports having a flange at its lower extremity, and clamping means cooperating with said flange and with said rail for securing said approach plate to said rail. I

7. In combination, a rail of a railroad track, ties for supporting said rail, an approach plate, a pair of supports for said approach plate supported by said ties, said approach plate having an edge portion underlying the head of said rail, one of said supports havin g a flange at its lower extremity, clamping means cooperating with said flange and with said rail for securing said approach plate to said rail, said clamping means comprising an elongated member having a hook portion and an apertured member slidable upon said elongated member, and screw-threaded means cooperating with said elongated member and said aperturedmember forholding said clamping means in cooperative relationship with said ilange and said rail.

S. In a railway crossing, in combination, a pair of rails, crossing plates between said rails and adjacent thereto, supports for said crossingplates, edge portions of said crossing plates underlying the heads of said rails, insulating material bounding the inner edges of said crossing plates, an intermediate Crossing plate between said iirst mentioned crossing plates, and means for removably supporting said intermediate crossing plate, said supporting means being secured to but in-.

.sulated from said first-mentioned crossing plates.

9. In a railway crossing, in combination, a pair of rails, each of said rails having a head, a bottom Hangs and a vertical web, insulating material arranged on the inside of said rails between the heads and bottom flanges thereof, crossing plates between said rails engaging said insulating material, and supports for said crossing plates, certain of said supports being permanently secured to said crossing plates, other of said supports adjacent to said rails being removably secured to said crossing plates, said other supports being ixedly mounted relative to said rails.

10. In a crossing, in combination, a pair of rails, insulating material arranged along the inner sides of said rails, crossing plates engaging said insulating material, ties for supporting said rails, supports secured to said ties, other supports secured to said crossing plates, and means for removably securing said crossing plates to said first mentioned supports.

11. In a crossing, in combination, a pair of rails, ties for supporting said rails, cross ing plates between said rails, supports extending parallel with said rails and secured to said crossing plates, certain of said cross ing plates being disposed end to end parallel with said rails in overlapping relationship with each other, an extremity of one of said crossing plates overlying a support of the next adjacent crossing plate.

12. In a railway crossing, in combination, a plurality of crossing plates arranged end to end, supports for said crossing plates arranged substantially parallel with said rails, extremities of certain of said supports being notched, the portions above said notched portions and adjacent portions of the crossing plates being swedged downwardly and underlying a portion of the next adjacent crossing plate.

13. In a railroad crossing, in combination. a pair oi rails, crossing plates between said rails, said crossing plates being disposed end to end and interlocked one with another, and supporting members secured to said crossing plates. an end of one crossing plate overlying an adjacent extremity of the supporting member of the next adjacent crossing plate.

lll. In a railway crossing, in combination, a pair of rails, crossing members having abutting relationship with said rails, and a unitary crossing plate assembly intermediate of said members, said crossing plate assembly being locked to said members.

15. In a railway crossing, in combination, a pair of rails, crossing members having abutting relationship with said rails, a unitary crossing plate assembly intermediate of said members, said crossing plate assembly being locked to said members, and insulating material cooperatively associated with said crossing plate for interrupting an electrical connection between said rails.

16. A railway crossing including a pair of grooved members adapted to have abutting relationship with the rails of a railroad track` and a unitary crossing plate assembly disposed intermediate of said grooved members, said crossing plate assembly being in locked relationship with said grooved members.

Signed by John A. Dailey, at Burlington, Iowa, the 23rd day of January, 1929, and by Lewis IV. Gerth, at Burlington, Iowa, the 23rd day of January, 1929.

JOHN A. DAILEY. LEWIS W. GERTI-l.

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